THE YOUNG CROW'S LESSONS. 241 



ject lesson in his proper attitude toward man- 

 kind, in this way. An old and a young crow 

 were nearer the house than usual, and I walked 

 down toward the fence to see why. The instant 

 my head appeared, the elder flew with terrific 

 outcry, for which of course I did not blame the 

 poor creature, since mankind has proved itself 

 her bitterest foe. The infant was nearly fright- 

 ened to death, and followed as quickly as his 

 awkward wings would carry him. I do not like 

 to figure as "Rawhead and bloody -bones " in the 

 nursery of even a crow baby, so I tried several 

 times to redeem the bad name of my race. But 

 to no avail; that subtle mamma had acquired 

 her wisdom by experience, and she knew me as 

 one of a species quite capable of murdering an 

 innocent crow baby. 



I was interested to see the young family in 

 the pasture taking lessons in following, or flying 

 in a flock. There was great excitement and 

 calling, and all flew, excepting one, who stood 

 quietly on a big stone by himself. They simply 

 circled around and alighted again, so it plainly 

 was only an exercise. But the baby who did 

 not learn the lesson and follow, was punished 

 by one of the grown-ups, who flew directly 

 against him on the return, and knocked him off 

 his perch ; the hint was taken, and the next time 

 they flew no one stayed behind. 



